Planning a trip to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Aardvark in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Aardvark are most active at night (19:00 to 05:00). Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.
This is Aardvark's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
About the Aardvark
The aardvark is a highly specialised nocturnal mammal and the only living species in the order Tubulidentata. It has a long pig-like snout, enormous ears, powerful digging claws, a thick body and a long muscular tail. Aardvarks specialise in eating ants and termites, breaking open colonies with their claws before collecting insects with their long, sticky tongue. They are generally solitary and spend daylight hours sheltering in underground burrows.
How to identify the Aardvark
Unmistakable large nocturnal mammal with a long pig-like snout, very large upright ears, arched back, powerful digging claws and long muscular tail.
Other species to look for in Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Other parks where you can see Aardvark
Heading to Rietvlei Nature Reserve? opspoor shows where Aardvark have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.